In the wake of outside linebacker Matt Milano’s bicep tear, which will keep the 2022 First Team All-Pro on the shelf for an indefinite period of time, the Bills will need to find an adequate replacement. Per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic (subscription required), Buffalo will likely give Dorian Williams the first shot at taking over for Milano.
That does not come as much of a surprise, as Williams was a third-round pick last year and had been serving as Milano’s backup throughout much of training camp anyway. However, his ascension to a starting role is still contingent upon improvement in several areas.
The most glaring weakness in Williams’ game is his coverage ability, as he frequently takes the bait on play-action fakes. While his speed is an asset and allows him to make splash plays in run defense, he remains vulnerable against the pass, and given how much the Bills ask of their linebackers – which is why they invest more dollars at the position than many other teams – the second-year pro is still in the process of learning his responsibilities.
Of course, Milano suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 5 of the 2023 season, and Buffalo initially gave Williams a crack at an increased role before ultimately turning to Tyrel Dodson. Dodson took advantage of his opportunity and parlayed his strong performance into a one-year, $4.26MM deal with the Seahawks this offseason, which gives Williams a clearer path to a starting job this time around.
Still, third-year pro Baylon Spector has looked good in camp and could be in the mix as Milano’s replacement, even though he has spent most of his time working as Terrel Bernard’s backup at middle linebacker. Veteran Nicholas Morrow is another option, though he has battled a core/groin injury. Despite the injury, Milano’s absence certainly improves Morrow’s chances of making the initial 53-man roster.
If the Bills want to take advantage of Williams’ run defense upside while mitigating his coverage liabilities, the team could bring in an additional safety on obvious passing downs and drop another safety into the second level of the defense to serve as a de facto third LB on those plays. That is what Jordan Poyer did last year, but Poyer is now with the Dolphins, and in Buscaglia’s view, safety might be the weakest position on the team, so Buffalo may not be able to line up in dime coverage as often as it might like.
The Bills could also turn to free agency or a trade if Williams et al. are not up to the challenge. However, head coach Sean McDermott prefers to address these types of issues via internal promotions, so Buffalo could eschew that route, especially in light of the above-referenced complexities that accompany the club’s linebacker positions.
Williams appeared in all 17 of the Bills’ regular season games last year, including two starts. He participated in 211 defensive snaps and recorded 40 combined tackles.